Bernaed t



(ModeLl'),

B.T. STEBBR. MATCH SPLINT ADJUSTING MACHINE. No. 281,206. l PatentedJuly 10, 1883.

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UNITED STATES .PATENT Orrics.

BERNARD r. srnenn, or Ufricn, new YORK.

MATCH-SPLINT-AoJUsTING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 281,206, dated July 10, 1883.

Application filed February 26, 1853. (Model.)

To' @ZL whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BERNARD T. STEBER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Utica, in the county of Oneida and State of New York, have invented a new and useful machine for arranging or forming spaces between the ends of match-splints previous to dipping, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a novel mechanism whereby the row of match-splints, after being u setfbetween the slats of a splint-frame or splint-chain, with their ends all on the same planes, are so arranged that alternately they form a low and a high row relatively to' the altitude or plane of the slats, while those splints of one row bear against those of the other row, whereby the matches are sufficiently spaced along a portion of their lengths, so as to allow of their being dipped without being spread apart laterally. 1

My invention consists of means for bearing against the ends of the splints and thereby causing spaces to be formed between the matches above and below the slats, as will be hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a top view of my invention, showing only two vpairs 'of slats and two transverse lines of matches in order to expose to view the parts below. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectionin the line of one of the spacing-blades of the adjusting mechanism. Fig. 3 is a transverse section in the line oi' the match-splintsi which have been raised to form the highest row; and Fig. 4 is a perspective diagram cfa modified construction of my invention, showin'g upper and lower blades on crank-shafts for adjusting the splints.

The invention which I have represented in the accompanying drawings, and shall describe in the following specification, will be more-fully understood by reference to the Lettersflatent granted to me March 13, 1883, No. 273,903. In said patented machine an endless slat-chain for receiving the rows of matchsplints directly from the die of the reciprocating" cutting device, instead of a frame containing a series of the clamping-slats, is represented; bnt it is obvious that a series of the frames shown in the drawings of my present application could be linked together, so as to form an equivalent of the Slat-chain shown in my aforesaid patent; but if the endless slatchain is to be adopted the more practical arrangement would bc to apply the slats directly to the chain-links instead of in a frame. In iny aforesaid patent the cutterfran1e and die are worked horizontally, and the cut splints are forced directly between the clampingslats, being caused to go out of the cells of the `die by the wood which is cut from the block at each succeeding operation. 'It will be understood that the division-line between the two parts of the clamps of theframe or the slatchain -are periodically moved in position for admitting the row of splints which is being forced out of the die by the new row entering the die. In my present drawings the die is represented as having out a row of splints by a vertical movement from a hori aontally-fed block of wood, and in such operation a row of splints which had been previously cut is forced down between the clamps ofthe frame, and this frame moves this row of sla-ts a proper distance for another clamp to come into position to receive the row of splints which is next forced out of the die. In` my aforesaid patent means for opening the clamps or slats and for moving the chain along are provided, and in my present drawings l have shown openings on each side of the slatframe and not-ches in cach side of the frame for the entrance of a suitably-operated feeding pawl or lever which enters the openings, takes into the notches, moves the frame along the proper distance, and then withdraws for another action upon the frame. If an endless chain of slats, as in my aforesaid patent, is adopted, the feeding-levers would be operated .s in said patent, and the cutting-die wouldV vI will now proceedto describe my present invention in connection with the accompany- Ving drawings, in whichtaking into the notches at the sides of the frame.

The mechanism for moving the frame B may' consist of a vibrating pawl or lever which enters and withdraws from the notches at proper intervals. The slats b b2 of the frame, which are of ordinary construction, receive the matchsplints c, cut, as usual, by a die, I), from a block, E, in a row, E. The tops of the row of said match-splints e are set flush with the tops of the slats b b2, when they are set in between the slats, and one of the sla-ts is provided with a serrated top plate, b3, so formed that it covers every other splint e, and thus prevents it from being moved up.

The arranger and spacer() consists cfa transverse rocking shaft, c, having a crank-arm, whereby it is operated, by means of suitable connections, with the main shaft `of the splintmachine, and a number of parallel blades, c', arranged to stand opposite every other match. splint between the slats b b2.

As the frame B, or its equivalent, (a slatehain,) is moved along by the machinery of a match-splint machine, the respective alternate n'lateh-splints of the respective transverse rows of splints e pass over blades e', which blades, everytime they are raised, are caused to push alternate match-splints up until their lower ends are brought iiush with the under sides of the slats, thereby forming a top row, E2, of splints, the remainder of row E formingvthe lower row of splints. The blades c, after this operation, are swung down again, and remain thus until the next pair of slats b b2, charged with splints, arrives within range of the blades c', when the same operation is repeated. When the frame B is fully provided with splints in double rows, E E2, as illustrated in Fig. 3, it is removed from the machine at once and dipped, the ends ofthe splints ofthe two rows E E2 being sufiiciently apart from each otherto insure perfeet dipping, and also to avoid the danger of being united by the dipping substance. In dipping the match-splints while in the frame, it will be necessary to iirst dip the ends of one row, and then to invert the frame and dip the ends of the other row of splints.

It will be seen that my present invention takes the place of the laterally separating and condensing mechanism heretofore patented to me, and that for certain kinds of matches it will be found preferable to the same, and with. my present invention the width of the frames and length of slats employed can be reduced about one-half, inasmuch as the match-splints,

Aby not being laterally separated, will occupy less space. By having the slats of less length they can. be made thinner and narrower without having their strength, when in use, rendered insufficient, and thus a much narrower, lighter, and cheaper frame, B, and which is easier to handle and less liable to get out of repair than the ordinary styles, maybe adopted.

Instead of using the serrated plate b3, I can Obtain the same result by using two matchsplint arrangers and spacers C, one above and 011e below the frame B, acting simultaneously, the upper arranger and spacer holding the match-splints intended for the lower row in place, while the lower one elevates the matchsplints intended for the upper row, as seen in Fig. 4, where the device is represented as having finished its operation. l

My invention can, with little cost and labor, be adopted in match-machines where slatchains are used instead of hand-frames, and in such use of my invention the matches may be dipped as the chain travels along, the ends of one row being dipped beneath and the other above the table or guide of the slats in any suitable manner.

Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a machine for arranging match-splints for vd'ippingthe combination, with a pair of clamping-slats constructed to contain a row of match-splints, ofvertically-movable pushing-bars arranged to bear against alternate splints, whereby a portion of the row of splints is moved longitudinally, and spaces formed between adjoining splints at the top and bottom of the row, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination, with traveling clamping-slats, of pushing-bars arranged to bear against alternate splints as the clamping-slats pass over them, whereby a portion of the row of splints is moved longitudinally, and spaces formed between adjoining match-splints y at top and bottom of the row of splints, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. The combination, with clamping slats constructed to contain a row of match-splints, and with vertically-movable bars arranged to bear vagainst alternate splints, of notched stopplates secured to one of the clamping-bars, substantially as and for the purpose described.

BERNARD T. STEBER.

Titnessesz JAMns E. HALL, J. L. Jonns.

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